Chapter 20

One Big Happy Family

Previously: "EMMETT!!!!!!!!!!!!" A loud voice echoed as we neared the house. I gave Edward a curious look, but he just cocked his head to the side. I heard a loud crash inside. What did that boy do now?

Edward let me down when we reached the back door. I flew through the door to see what all the commotion was about. I entered the living room and witnessed a very odd scene.

"YES, YES, YES, a THOUSAND times YES," Rosalie said. She was straddling Emmett on the floor and kissing every inch of his face. I was very confused until I probed their minds.

EEE, I can't believe he proposed. Okay, he didn't propose, but the ring is gorgeous. Why did he wait till I died to do it? Meany, I will have to punish him later. I quickly pulled out of her thoughts, not liking where that train was heading.

What is Rose talking about? Emmett was confused beyond doubt.

"Rosie, yes what?" He asked her.

Rosalie just gave him a look.

"Rosie?" Emmett pleaded. I looked around the scene to see a few broken vases. I guess Rosalie had jumped on him when she noticed the ring.

"Emmett McCarthy Cullen!" Rosalie fumed. She quickly stood up from her position and pointed at her ring. Rose looked mad. "You put a ring on my finger! A freaking engagement ring! And you don't know what 'yes' is about?" Understanding flashed through Emmett's eyes, then relief. I wondered what he thought she was talking about.

"Rosie, baby, I didn't put that ring there. I had this really good plan after you were changed. We were going to do something romantic, but I didn't think you would die and come back to life. I don't know how the ring got on your hand!" Emmett defended himself.

"Is that so?" Rosalie cocked an eyebrow.

"Of course, ask Bella! She is the one who got you ready!" Emmett pointed at me. My eyebrows shot up. How did I get involved in this?

"Bella?" Rosalie turned her glare on me. I smiled sheepishly and bit my lip. It was a nervous habit of mine.

"Yeah, see, I wasn't expecting you to, you know, come back. I knew Emmett wanted to propose to you. So I put the ring on for your burial. No biggie," I replied.

"No biggie? I was supposed to get proposed to romantically! But it turned into this!" Rosalie held her arms up. I looked around to see Jasper and Carlisle holding Alice back. She looked like she was about to slap Rosalie.

"Rosalie, be happy you got the ring on your finger!" Alice scolded with a glare. "Bella was only being considerate! Don't get onto her! Or Emmett! They don't deserve it!" Alice calmed down after saying that and relaxed. Carlisle released his hold on her. She, then, sagged into Jasper's side.

"Whatever," Rosalie huffed and walked out of the room. "Emmett, let's celebrate our engagement," Rosalie said seductively while walking up the stairs. Jasper, Carlisle, and especially Edward, who was having the mental images, all blanched. I grimaced. I had to get out of the house. NOW.

"Hey, I'm going to take Lillian to see Pack. They haven't got to see her yet," I informed everyone. "Actually, they have no idea all that has happened today," I realized. Everyone nodded and murmured a few 'I'm coming'. Obviously they didn't want to stay with Rosalie and Emmett upstairs having a special party I did NOT want to be invited to. I ran upstairs quickly, flying past Emmett's room, and into my room. I grabbed myself and Edward a change of clothes. I stopped at Lillian's room and grabbed her an outfit. When I arrived back into the living room, Alice and Esme were already changed. I figured Jasper and Carlisle was still changing. I handed Edward his outfit. Then I took Lillian into the downstairs bathroom that held no purpose to us. Lillian giggled when I sat her on the sink. "What's so funny?" I tickled her sides and made her giggle even more.

You, Aunty Bella, Lillian thought. I chuckled and started dressing her. She was now wearing a cute pink dress, pink sandals, and a matching pink bow in her hair that seemed longer than it was this morning. I stood her on the ground and noticed she was about an inch taller than she was this morning. I was very confused, but decided to press the issue at this moment.

"You ready?" Edward asked from the doorway. He was wearing jeans and a green polo with blue converse. I nodded and handed Lillian to him. "See you in a sec," Edward whispered and kissed my lips. In a second, like he said, I was walking out of the bathroom in dark wash jeans and a light blue long sleeved with green converse. (A/N Ha-ha, they are wearing opposite color shirt and converse!) "Hey love," he kissed my forehead. I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the house and towards the others who were piling up in the cars. Jasper and Alice were taking her Porsche, while Esme and Carlisle took her Mercedes, and Edward, Lillian and I took my Camaro.

"Will you buckle her in?" I asked Edward. He nodded his head and sat her in the back seat. All the cars had a car seat in it. We pulled out of the garage and made our way for La Push.

"Bella, is that you?" Haley squealed when she opened the door to the sound of cars entering her gravel driveway.

"Yep," I smiled and pulled her into a hug. We managed to get over the smell a few weeks ago, so it was safe for close contact. "You're never going to believe who we have with us," I began to say as I heard a loud gasp from her. She was looking over my shoulder to the baby in Edward's arms.

"Is that Lillian?" Haley questioned with wonder. I nodded my head. Haley ran around the car and looked longingly at the baby.

"Here," Edward said, handing her the baby. Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, and Esme soon joined us.

"Where's Rose and Em?" Haley asked after a moment and looking around the group.

"Um, uh, they are celebrating the only way they know how," I grimaced. Haley mimicked me at my answer.

"Lovely, come inside, the boys are here and are going to eat her up," Haley cooed at Lillian who just smiled brightly.

"I hope not," Esme smiled. We all laughed.

"Oh," Haley said when Lillian pressed a hand to her cheek. Haley looked at me with a confused look.

"I will explain when we get inside," I said, making my way for the door. The others followed suit.

"BELLA!" Seth hollered when he saw me and I had to duck before a lump of food hit me in the face. I looked behind me to see the glob of what appeared to be chocolate pudding slide down the wall. I turned back to Seth, glaring. He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. I saw he attempted to hide the spoon in his hand behind his back. "Sorry, I got a little excited and forgot I had it in my hand," Seth shrugged. I just broke out laughing and he joined in after a moment of hesitation.

"It's okay Seth," I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I'm good at revenge," I threatened with a wink. Seth's face went pale and he froze. "Kidding," I assured him with a genuine smile. I laughed and walked over to Edward who was standing in Haley's living room. He placed a hand on my lower back when I reached his side. I looked up at him and he gave me my favorite crooked smile.

"Hey Seth," Jasper said, going over to his friend. Alice and Esme sat down with Haley on the couch playing with Lillian. Carlisle came and stood behind the couch watching the cute scene.

"Seth, come look at this little cutie," Haley called over her shoulder. Seth cocked an eyebrow and walked over. When he saw the baby, I saw his eyes flash with adoration.

"She is beautiful," Seth cooed and hopped over the couch to sit in between Haley and Alice. He picked up Lillian and stared at her with wonder. "Lillian, right?" he asked Esme.

"Lillian Christian McCarthy Cullen," Esme smiled brightly at the girl. Seth looked back to Lillian and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Awe," Alice and I said in unison. Edward chuckled from besides me. Jasper sat on the edge of the couch by Alice and took her hand.

"Hey guys," Jacob came into the living room then. He stopped abruptly and I looked up at him smiling. I motioned for him to come over. Jacob walked over and looked over the couch. "Lillian," he cooed. "Where are the lucky parents?" Jacob asked.

"At home celebrating," I grimaced again. Jacob caught my drift and shuddered.

"Seth, let me hold her," Jacob reached out.

"You can wait your turn," Seth replied, not looking like he was going to give her up. Lillian reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. Seth gasped and looked at her curiously. "What just happened?" Seth asked when she dropped her hand.

"I guess I can tell you now," I said grimly. "Okay, Rosalie gave birth to Lillian yesterday morning. She died though," I wasn't able to finish my sentence when Haley, Seth, and Jacob cried out in horror.

"What?" Haley screeched.

"NO!" Jacob snarled.

"She didn't!" Seth said in horror.

"Yes, she did," I was once again was cut off.

"But you just said they were home celebrating," Haley reasoned.

"Let me finish," I huffed. They all went silent, waiting for me to continue. "Well, we were outside, about to bury her, when Lillian asked me if I saw Rosalie. I was confused and said yes and pointed in the casket. Lillian said no and started pointing to a spot by where Emmett was standing. She placed her hand on my cheek and showed me an image of Rosalie floating there. I was shocked. Lillian then told me to take me to her. I obliged and took Lillian to the spot. She reached out and actually caught a hold of a strand of Rosalie's hair. Lillian said something about 'follow me momma' and told me to take her back to the casket. I took her back over, and then she moved her hand over Rosalie's body. Rosalie came back to life a second later. It was very strange. See, we discovered that Lillian can communicate with just a touch of her hand. It really is quite interesting. Well, then I came up with a theory that she has a special sense and can see things like Rosalie's spirit," I explained to them. They all wore shocked expressions at this new information. "I'm not really sure how Rosalie came back, but it was all thanks to Lillian."

"She is a wonder," Jacob cooed to the little baby who looked at everyone in wonder.

After retelling the story to the rest of the pack and them all going crazy over Lillian, we decided it was safe to return home.

"Hey Bella, can I talk to you for a minute?" Haley asked as I stood to leave.

"Sure," I nodded my head. She brought me into the kitchen. "What is it?" I inquired.

"Well, the boys are getting kind of anxious. When are you going to start recruiting?" I immediately understood what she was talking about. I pushed my shield around her to have a silent conversation. Edward would hear if he was paying attention, though.

I'm thinking on leaving in two days. I will go up to Alaska first and contact the Denali's. Then I will head over to Europe and start hunting down covens and nomads. Hopefully the Denali's will agree to help and then help me search. I don't want to ask my family to help with what has happened today.

Well, whenever you need us, we will be there. When the vampires start showing up in Forks, please tell them to eat outside of city limits. At least a good 50 mile radius?

Of course, I was planning on telling them they had to go out of state to hunt.

Thank you Bella, I know you have a lot on your shoulders.

It's no problem at all. Alice and Esme are busy with plans on changing Jasper and Carlisle. Emmett and Rose now have a child. That really only leaves me-

"And me," Edward interjected. I looked over to him. He was leaning against the doorframe. Edward stood and walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "You don't really think I would let you go without me?" Edward asked, nuzzling my neck. I sighed and relaxed into his arms. Haley let out an 'awe'.

"Of course you wouldn't," I smirked.

"See, you have help, you don't have to do everything by yourself," Edward started leaving kisses on my shoulder. My eyes started to flutter shut. "Well, we should get going," Edward let go of me and stepped back. I turned around to glare at him.

"That was cruel," I said and stomped out of the kitchen. Not before I saw Edward wink at Haley who just started laughing. "Not funny," I called over my shoulder. I said my goodbyes to everyone and got into my car. Lillian was fast asleep in the backseat, exhausted from today's events. Those boys had worn her out! We pulled into the garage a few minutes later. Edward went around and pulled the still sleeping Lillian out of her car seat. Rosalie and Emmett were in the living room watching A Walk to Remember when we walked inside. I loved this movie! I pulled Edward to the love seat and we cuddled together. It was nice to relax for a few hours. Not to have to worry about the future. I noticed my family was also relaxed. All of their thoughts were peaceful ones. They mostly centered on the movie. Lillian was in her mother's arms who were in Emmett's on the recliner. Carlisle was sprawled out on the couch with Esme curled up to him. Alice had her head on Jasper's stomach. Just one big happy family. I sighed and curled up closer to Edward who wrapped his arm around my waist and played with strands of my hair. Complete and utter bliss.

A/N OMG I loved writing this chapter. I thought it was too cute. I know it was just a bunch of fluff. Rosalie was just upset because she didn't get Emmett's real surprise and that he didn't plan for that. She wasn't really mad at Bella. Alice did get a little ticked off by Rose, but they were all pretty stressed. Next chapter is the beginning of the end. Sorry. We are reaching the climax! Bella and Edward leave to begin their hunt for fellow vampire witnesses. Who all will agree to come?

In other news… KRIS ALLEN WON AMERICAN IDOL! WOOHOO! Sorry, that was for anyone who lives under a rock and didn't know. Did you know a whopping 38 million votes out of the 100 million came from Arkansas? Crazy, I know. I could barely fathom how many times we voted! I know I voted like at least 200 times. I knew some other fellow Arkansans who voted like 300 times each. I only had one friend who voted for Adam. But she voted for Kris too. Which is always good! I hope none of you are too pissed off that Adam lost. Everyone was like 'Adam won already!' and all that, but guess what? He didn't, Kris did. Get over it. That was mean… I'm sorry… Please forgive me? Tell me your thoughts on the chapter, future chapters, and anything else!

Lyric game: Congrats to- edwardsince1901, Tj09, and deepsoul1004 for guessing Everything We Had by The Academy Is… Amazing band! William Beckett is super hot!

This chapter's lyric excerpt (Unless you saw the movie, you won't know it. Sorry, but it's my favorite movie, and no it is not off of A Walk to Remember, but it is a musical. Hint Hint):

Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings.


Telling me to give you everything.


Seasons may change, winter to spring.


But I love you until the end of time.